Case Evaluation

Celexa: Celexa Risks and Side-Effects

You may have an increased risk of suicidal thoughts or behavior at the start of treatment with an antidepressant medication, especially if you are under 18 years old. Talk with your doctor about this risk. While you are taking Celexa you will need to be monitored for worsening symptoms of depression and/or suicidal thoughts during the first weeks of treatment, or whenever your dose is changed. In addition to you watching for changes in your own symptoms, your family or other caregivers should be alert to changes in your mood or symptoms. Your doctor will need to check you at regular visits for at least the first 12 weeks of treatment.

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction:

  • skin rash or hives;
  • difficulty breathing;
  • swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Contact your doctor promptly if you have any of the following side effects, especially if they are new symptoms or if they get worse:

  • mood changes,
  • anxiety,
  • panic attacks,
  • trouble sleeping,
  • irritability,
  • agitation,
  • aggressiveness,
  • severe restlessness,
  • mania (mental and/or physical hyperactivity),
  • thoughts of suicide or hurting yourself.

Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

  • seizure (convulsions);
  • tremors, shivering, muscle stiffness or twitching;
  • problems with balance or coordination; or
  • agitation, confusion, sweating, fast heartbeat.

Other less serious side effects are more likely to occur, such as:

  • feeling nervous, restless, or unable to sit still;
  • drowsiness, dizziness, trouble concentrating;
  • sleep problems (insomnia);
  • nausea, gas, upset stomach, loss of appetite;
  • weight changes;
  • urinating more than usual;
  • decreased sex drive, impotence, or difficulty having an orgasm;
  • or dry or watery mouth, yawning, or ringing in your ears.

Do not take Celexa together with esCelexa (Lexapro), isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam), or tranylcypromine (Parnate). Avoid drinking alcohol, which can increase some of the side effects of Celexa.

Avoid using other medicines that make you sleepy (such as cold medicine, pain medication, muscle relaxers, medicine for seizures, other medication for depression or anxiety). They can add to sleepiness caused by Celexa.

Celexa can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert.

Talk to your doctor before taking any medicine for pain, arthritis, fever, or swelling. This includes aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn), diclofenac (Voltaren), indomethacin, piroxicam (Feldene), nabumetone (Relafen), etodolac (Lodine), and others. Taking any of these drugs with Celexa may cause you to bruise or bleed easily. Before taking Celexa, tell your doctor if you are using any of the following medicines:

  • carbamazepine (Tegretol);
  • cimetidine (Tagamet);
  • lithium (Lithobid, Eskalith);
  • a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin);
  • any other antidepressants such as amitriptyline (Elavil), esCelexa (Lexapro), fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem), fluvoxamine (Luvox), imipramine (Tofranil), nortriptyline (Pamelor), paroxetine (Paxil), or sertraline (Zoloft); or
  • almotriptan (Axert), frovatriptan (Frova), sumatriptan (Imitrex), naratriptan (Amerge), rizatriptan (Maxalt), or zolmitriptan (Zomig).

If you are using any of these drugs, you may not be able to use Celexa, or you may need dosage adjustments or special tests during treatment.

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